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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to installation and operation of meter socket adapters for |
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residential electric service customers. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 17, Utilities Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 17.011 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 17.011. METER SOCKET ADAPTER. (a) In this section, |
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"meter socket adapter" means an electronic device that is installed |
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between a residential electric meter and the meter socket to |
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facilitate the deployment of customer-owned or customer-leased |
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technology. |
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(b) The commission by rule shall require an electric utility |
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to authorize the installation and operation of a meter socket |
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adapter by a residential electric service customer of the utility, |
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regardless of whether the adapter is owned by the customer or a |
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third party, if the adapter meets standards adopted by the |
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commission. In adopting the standards, the commission shall |
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consider: |
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(1) National Electrical Code requirements for |
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connecting a meter socket adapter to the supply side of the service |
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disconnect; |
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(2) meter socket adapters approved or listed by a |
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nationally recognized testing laboratory; |
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(3) ratings of adapters for the meter sockets into |
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which the adapters are intended to be installed; and |
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(4) certifications of meter socket adapters offered by |
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a nationally recognized testing laboratory. |
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(c) An electric utility is not required to authorize the |
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installation of a meter socket adapter that prevents access to the |
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sealed meter socket compartment or the pull section of the service |
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section of the electric meter or switchboard. |
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(d) An electric utility or a third party, including a |
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manufacturer of meter socket adapters, may install, maintain, and |
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service a meter socket adapter or associated equipment under this |
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section on behalf of a residential electric service customer. |
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(e) Not later than the 60th day after the date an electric |
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utility receives a request from a residential customer in the |
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utility's service area or a third party to approve for installation |
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a specific model of meter socket adapter, the utility shall approve |
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or deny the request. |
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(f) An electric utility shall publish on the utility's |
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website a list of each specific model of meter socket adapter the |
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utility has approved under Subsection (e). An electric utility |
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that denies a request to approve a specific model of meter socket |
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adapter under Subsection (e) shall provide an explanation to the |
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requestor providing the reason for the denial. |
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SECTION 2. The Public Utility Commission of Texas shall |
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require each electric utility to modify the utility's electric |
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service requirements as required by Section 17.011, Utilities Code, |
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as added by this Act, as soon as possible after the effective date |
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of the rules adopted under that section. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |